Three Tips for Sundance: Deals and Debuts

From January 20 - 30 2011, you too can Sundance with the stars. Held annually in Park City, Utah, this year’s Sundance Film Festival promises big names and sweet cinematic surprises. In conjunction with the festival, Park City resorts are rolling out the red carpet for skiers with some great deals.

Famous for its mix of Hollywood elite and underground auteurs, Sundance is the largest independent film festival in the United States. The 27th annual Sundance Film Festival will showcase 117 feature-length films from 29 countries. These films, selected from 3,812 feature-length film submissions from all over the world, will be shown in theaters in Park City and Salt Lake City from January 20-30. 94 of these are world premieres. And, yes, there will be celebrities. Namely, Robert Redford.

One of the festival founders and its principle namesake (the festival was officially named Sundance in 1991 after Redford’s famous film: Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid), Redford’s Sundance brand is synonymous with independent film which he promotes through his Sundance Institute and cable channel.

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Redford and other Hollywood A-listers like Paul Rudd, Pierce Brosnan and Zooey Deschannel may overrun the town with their limos and entourages, but the mountains are likely to be empty. Here are some of the deals resorts are offering this year:

Park City Mountain Resort is offering 20% on lift tickets, ski rentals, and ski school lessons during the week of the festival. The mountain, easily accessible from downtown Park City, make it a good choice for stretching your legs and getting a few turns in between films. Park City Mountain Resort is also hosting some official Sundance events and parities on its premises. Stars on skis, anyone?

The Canyons will provide two free adult lift tickets to anyone staying for four days or more at a Canyons property during the festival.

Many seminal films have debuted at Sundance throughout its history, so you might catch the next Little Miss Sunshine or Reservoir Dogs. Highlights this year include Red State, the newest film from Kevin Smith of Clerks and Mallrats fame, Higher Ground, actress Vera Farmiga’s (Up in the Air) directorial debut, and the documentaries Magic Trip about author Ken Kesey and the Merry Pranksters featuring unseen footage from the 60s and the controversial film How to Die in Oregon about physician-assisted suicide. See a complete schedule here. You can purchase tickets on the Sundance website.

Tickets cost $15 each and sell out fast. Special discounts for film students and Utah residents available.

Grab your movie star shades. From January 19 - 29 2012, you too can Sundance with the stars. Held annually in Park City, Utah, this year’s Sundance Film Festival promises big names and even bigger skiing. Park City’s most popular resorts are rolling out the red carpet for skiers with some great deals.

The annual Sundance Film Festival, famous for premieres and celebrities, wrapped up recently. If movies aren't your thing, it’s also the best time to find good deals and empty slopes in Park City, Utah. By Jennifer Davis.